Police book a few people for obstructing traffic during protest against Waqf (Amendment) Act

Kankanady Town Police register cases against protestors blocking National Highway 75 during Ulama Coordination Karnataka protest.

The Kankanady Town Police on Saturday, April 19, registered cases of unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint, using criminal force against public servants etc., against a few persons who blocked Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway 75 at Kannur-Adyar during the Ulama Coordination Karnataka protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, on Friday.

City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal in a statement here said three cases were booked against three persons initially based on direct observation and initial video analysis. Investigation was on to identify other people involved in disrupting vehicular movement. He gave the names of the three accused as Jaleel, resident of Krishnapura, Fazal, resident of Valachhil and Mohammed Hanif Noufal.

Cases under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita, including unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint, public nuisance, mischief, using criminal force against public servants and obstruction in a public way were registered against the accused.

Mr. Agrawal said though police had made adequate bandobast and organisers had deployed volunteers to control the crowd and manage traffic, a group of protestors intentionally gathered on the middle of the highway. They blocked the free movement of vehicles despite repeated appeal by the police to disperse and allow free movement of vehicles.

They engaged in actions that disrupted traffic, obstructed emergency services, and interfered with public servants in the discharge of their official duties, the Commissioner said. The investigation was underway and strict legal action would be taken against all those involved, he added.